The following interview for Backstage’s on-camera series The Slate was compiled in part by Backstage readers just like you! Follow us on Twitter (@Backstage) and Instagram (@backstagecast) to stay in the loop on upcoming interviews and to submit your questions.
Netflix’s highly anticipated series “The Irregulars” is finally out in the world. The Victorian-era drama follows a group of outcasts investigating supernatural crimes in London under the direction of Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Harrison Osterfield, who plays the lead role of Leopold, has been cutting his teeth onscreen for a few years now with minor credits in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and George Clooney’s Hulu project “Catch 22” (in addition to being assistant to Tom Holland through his early days as Spider-Man). But Leopold marks his big breakout moment! He recently took over Backstage’s Instagram to answer audience questions, offer career tips based on his personal experience landing this role, and more.
How to Audition How long does the casting process usually go on before you know you got cast?
Way too long, if you ask me. For this particular job, I had four auditions, and I think it took about a month and a half to get through it all. That silence between those auditions is deafening.
What’s the hardest part of being in the film and TV industry?
I think one of the most difficult things is that sort of silence and the quiet times between jobs, between auditions. You really do have to be resilient, and if it’s what you wanna do, you gotta keep at it and keep going.
What’s your best audition advice?
- Do your homework. Even if they don’t ask you questions, it’s better to know for your own benefit that you could answer anything.
- Rehearse so you don’t go in completely cold.
- Leave it at the door. No point stressing over something that is out of your control.
Do you ever find yourself doubting your ability to act? How do you get out of your head?
One hundred thousand percent. Yeah, that happens quite a lot. But the way that I get out of it is to just read it through with some actors and just get their opinions on things, be surrounded by family, friends, and reassurance.
Any tips for actors just starting out?
When I first started out I made a conscious thing of trying to watch a new movie or a new TV show every night. I know it sounds silly, but when you do get that meeting with an agent or a casting director, most of the time you’re gonna be talking about shows in the industry, and if you’ve got a backlog of what you like and what you don’t like, it’s a quite useful thing.
What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
The best advice that I’ve been given is to try and turn your nerves into excitement. So whether that’s for an audition or a job or just being nervous in general, if you can turn it into excitement, it turns it into a good energy, and good energy is…good!
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